Panthers’ Newton Will Have Ankle Surgery

Mario Manningham caught 160 passes for 2,315 yards and 18 touchdowns in a four-season stint with the Giants.CreditDoug Mills/The New York Times

By The Associated Press

March 18, 2014

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton will have surgery Wednesday on his left ankle and will be sidelined for four months.

The team said Tuesday that Newton’s ankle had been sore since the end of last season.

If all goes as expected, Newton could return before training begins at the end of July.

Newton led the Panthers to a 12-4 record last season and the N.F.C. South championship. He threw for 3,379 yards, with a career-high 24 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

Newton has started all 48 regular-season games since arriving as the No. 1 overall pick out of Auburn in 2011.

IRSAY SEEKS TREATMENT The family of Jim Irsay, the Indianapolis Colts’ owner, said that he entered a treatment facility after police found multiple prescription drugs in his vehicle during a traffic stop late Sunday.

Irsay, 54, faces preliminary charges of misdemeanor driving while intoxicated and four felony counts of possession of a controlled substance. He was arrested near his home in suburban Carmel, Ind., and released the next day. Irsay had acknowledged a painkiller dependency more than a decade ago.

A court hearing is set for March 26.

MANNINGHAM REJOINS GIANTS Mario Manningham, one of the Giants’ most productive receivers from the 2008 to 2011 seasons, will rejoin the team.

Known for his spectacular 38-yard reception that began the Giants’ winning drive against New England in the 2012 Super Bowl, Manningham spent the last two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. Both were cut short by injury.

A third-round draft choice in 2008, Manningham caught 160 passes for 2,315 yards and 18 touchdowns in his four seasons with the Giants.

The Giants also signed the free-agent kick returner Trindon Holliday, who spent the last two seasons with Denver.

Holliday returned two kicks for touchdowns last season, one of them an 81-yard punt return against the Giants.

AROUND THE LEAGUE Jacksonville signed the free-agent receiver and returner Tandon Doss. ... The free-agent fullback Erik Lorig agreed to a four-year contract with New Orleans. ... The Panthers signed the free-agent safety Roman Harper to a two-year contract.

A version of this article appears in print on , on Page B19 of the New York edition with the headline: Manningham, a Super Bowl Hero, Rejoins the Giants. Order Reprints | Today’s Paper | Subscribe